Guests at last year’s event enjoyed the crawfish boil while sporting some Mardi Gras beads. (Photo: Cajun Fest)
By Mary Jane Miller
Ready or not, the “Mardi Gras of the Midwest” is coming up soon. Cajun Fest Boil & Brew celebrates its eighth year with a full day of Louisiana flavor, music and community spirit on Saturday, June 20, at The Meridian, the new event center in West Des Moines.
What began as a crawfish boil shared between Louisiana transplant Stephen Smith and a group of Iowa friends has grown into an annual festival drawing more than 1,000 attendees. Smith admits he hates crawfish but enjoys the sense of community that a traditional boil creates.
Over the years, the event has expanded from a casual gathering in a park into a larger celebration centered on Cajun food, live music and fundraising.
Fresh crawfish are flown in from Louisiana and prepared by Cajun cooks. Festivalgoers can enjoy crawfish and shrimp boils, jambalaya and boudin sausage balls, along with Cajun cocktails, beer and family-friendly entertainment from noon to 8 p.m.
One of the festival’s signature attractions is the Gator Table, a private experience for eight guests featuring a 16-pound, bacon-wrapped alligator prepared by Flying Mango, pictured left. The tables have become a popular draw for adventurous eaters who are willing to shell out $900 for the group. (General admission is $55 for individuals and $180 for a group of four.)
The volunteer-run festival has raised more than $100,000 for local charities since it began. Beneficiaries have included St. Vincent de Paul, Orchard Place and Ellipsis. That charitable focus expanded this year with the creation of Cajun Connection, an organization founded by festival organizers to host free pop-up crawfish boils in neighborhoods and communities that might not otherwise attend Cajun Fest. The group aims to build community through shared meals while supporting other charitable causes.
Smith moved to Iowa after graduating from college to take a job with Principal Financial Group. Growing up as a military brat meant moving frequently, he said, but eventually he found a place to put down roots. “Things change when you get married and buy a house,” he said.
Today, Iowa is home, and Cajun Fest reflects the community connections he has built here.
Contributing writer Mary Jane Miller of Indianola has worked as a food writer, chef, cooking teacher and food scientist for various clients, including Betty Crocker, the Food Network, Pillsbury and Target.
